Lewis Hamilton must adapt to conquer the challenge of Jeddah

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton faces one of the toughest tasks of his illustrious career as he continues to adjust to life at Ferrari. After more than a decade spent mastering the nuances of Mercedes machinery, Hamilton acknowledges that adapting to the SF-25 has been a complex process. As the F1 circus heads to the demanding Corniche Circuit in Jeddah for the fifth round of the 2025 season, Hamilton is keenly aware that achieving success will require breaking old habits and embracing a new driving approach.

Hamilton’s season so far has been marked by moments of promise and struggles with consistency. A respectable ninth-place qualifying result followed by a fifth-place finish in Bahrain showcased his progress, but the Brit is still far from his comfort zone behind the wheel of his Ferrari.

"Each driver has a particular driving style," Hamilton told the official Formula 1 channel. "Of course, you adapt a little over time, but it's a radical change. I found things that worked in the last race, and the challenge will be to implement that everywhere, especially in qualifying when you have to push to get that little extra. Sometimes I'm limited by my habits, and I have to get rid of them."

The Corniche Circuit, a high-speed street track with narrow walls and unforgiving limits, will demand absolute confidence in the car. It’s a task that Hamilton must meet head-on if he hopes to secure his first podium finish with Ferrari in a non-sprint race this season.

While Hamilton is still in the learning phase, his teammate Charles Leclerc remains the benchmark within the team. Now in his eighth year with Ferrari, Leclerc’s connection to the car is deeply rooted. The Monegasque driver has already outqualified Hamilton in three of the four rounds this season, with the Brit’s sole head-to-head victory coming in the Chinese Sprint.

"Charles has obviously been driving this car for a long time, and his driving style fits it perfectly," Hamilton admitted. "He loves to make the rear end slide. He likes cars with a lot of oversteer, which is really impressive. From the start of the weekend, he doesn't really modify the car; he and the team more or less know where to start thanks to previous years."

For Hamilton, the challenge lies in quickly finding the right setup—something Leclerc has refined over years of working with the team.

The unique demands of Jeddah’s Corniche Circuit have sharpened Hamilton’s determination. Understanding that rhythm is key on such tracks, he has clearly outlined his priorities for the weekend.

"This weekend, I’m focusing on my driving style, circuit control, and rhythm," Hamilton said. "It’s a circuit where, a bit like Monaco or Baku, you have to find your rhythm as early as possible and then improve step by step. So I have a lot of work to do to adapt my approach to the corners; it might take a little time, but I hope it won’t be too long."

Ferrari enters the weekend still chasing their elusive first podium finish of the 2025 season. With the car showing glimpses of potential but lacking consistency, Jeddah presents an opportunity for the Scuderia’s drivers to turn their fortunes around.

Hamilton’s experience and Leclerc’s familiarity with the car could provide the edge needed at the unforgiving Corniche Circuit. Whether Ferrari can finally break through and deliver a podium performance remains to be seen. One thing is certain: for Lewis Hamilton, this race represents not just a battle against his rivals but also a personal challenge to redefine himself at the wheel of Ferrari’s SF-25.

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will go green at 8:00 p.m. local time on Sunday.

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